Killie make light work of Hibernian despite two power cuts

Posted Sunday, December 02, 2018 by PA

Kilmarnock battled two power cuts to thump Hibernian 3-0 and move up to second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The returning Eamonn Brophy netted two first half goals and a late Greg Stewart effort added the gloss as the Ayrshire side grabbed a second win in three matches and consigned Neil Lennon’s side to a sixth winless result.

And even two second half power outages could not halt Steve Clarke’s side in their tracks as they closed the gap on table-toppers Celtic to just a single point.

The visitors had made a largely positive start when Killie hit the front.

The Hibs rearguard were not alert to the quick throw-in as Stewart surged down the left side.

The attacker was too strong and quick for Paul Hanlon, and then squared for the unmarked Brophy. The forward only needed a single touch to finish under Adam Bogdan and mark his first appearance since October with a goal.

Martin Boyle then fired over for the visitors after a neat clipped ball from Steven Whittaker before Rory McKenzie shot just wide after an electric Killie counter-attack.

The hosts soon doubled their advantage and it was no surprise to see the energetic Jordan Jones involved in the heart of it.

He danced around in the Hibees box, worked a one-two and was then fouled by Darren McGregor. Referee Craig Thomson had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Brophy had no hesitation slotting home for his sixth league goal of the season.

Lennon’s frustrations were signalled at the break as he hauled off both Whittaker and McGregor, in favour of the more attacking duo Oli Shaw and Daryl Horgan.

The latter added an immediate threat, and went close on two occasions – both before and after Rugby Park was plunged into darkness for the first time.

The winger should have done better with both opportunities as Daniel Bachmann denied him, but the same could soon be said for Florian Kamberi who should have tested the goalkeeper with a header from point black range.

A second power outage then followed but play was once again restarted after another short delay. The hosts seemed to have more assurance this time as they stamped their authority on the match all over again.

The gloss was added in stoppage time as Stewart converted after a neat Chris Burke pass as Killie registered an emphatic victory over the hapless visitors.